South Korean court ousts impeached President Yoon

By Joyce Lee and Ju-min Park, for Reuters

Crowds gathered to hear the verdict reacted in celebration or disbelief, after South Korea's Constitutional Court announced it has upheld the impeachment of the country's president Yoon Suk Yeol. Photo: AFP/ Pedro Pardo

South Korea's Constitutional Court has decided to oust president Yoon Suk Yeol, upholding their parliament's impeachment motion over his declaration of martial law last year, which sparked the country's worst political crisis in decades.

With Yoon's ousting, a presidential election is required to take place within 60 days, according to the country's constitution.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will continue to serve as acting president until the new president is inaugurated.

South Korea's Yoon Suk Yeol (file photo) Photo: AFP/ Ezra Acayan

Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae said Yoon violated his duty as president by taking actions that were beyond the powers given to him under the constitution, and the effect of his actions was a serious challenge to democracy.

"(Yoon) committed a grave betrayal of the people's trust who are the sovereign members of the democratic republic," Moon said, adding that by declaring martial law, Yoon created chaos in all areas of society, the economy and foreign policy.

The ruling was unanimous among the eight justices, Moon said.

Thousands of people gathered at a rally calling for Yoon's ouster, including hundreds who camped out overnight - with many erupting into wild cheers on hearing the ruling, chanting: "We won!"

The ruling caps months of political turmoil that had overshadowed efforts to deal with the new administration of US President Donald Trump at a time of slowing growth.

Some supporters of Yoon were seen crying, in reaction to the court decision. Photo: AFP/ Jung Yeon-Je

Separate charges against Yoon

Separately, 64-year-old Yoon faces a criminal trial on insurrection charges. The embattled leader became the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested, on 15 January, but was released in March after a court cancelled his arrest warrant.

The crisis was triggered by Yoon's declaration on 3 December of martial law, which he said was needed to root out "anti-state" elements and the opposition Democratic Party's alleged abuse of its parliamentary majority that he said was destroying the country.

Yoon lifted the decree six hours later after lawmakers defied efforts by the security forces to seal off parliament and voted to reject it. Yoon has said he never intended to fully impose emergency military rule and tried to downplay the fallout, saying nobody was hurt.

Months of protests have followed, and it remained unclear if the political chaos sparked by Yoon's martial law declaration would now be eased by the court ruling.

- Reuters